Was able to pick up the Veil and North American Nebula with my Orion ST80 using a 32mm Plossl (12.5X magnification) and a Thousand Oaks OIII filter at an orange zone site (Malibu). For the Veil, I was able to get both ends and Pickering's Wisp in the same FOV. The OTA is mounted on a Vixen Mini-Porta alt-azimuth mount (only 6.5 lbs).

This configuration is much like one-half of a 12X80 binocular, although performing somewhat better, especially with the filter installed. But from a dark site and using this size bino, even without filtration all these objects--except perhaps Pickering's Wisp--can be seen well. By using both eyes, low contrast objects are made more definite.

And if the bino can have your desired filters installed, so much the better! My home made right angle bino in 20.8x60 mode, with Orion Ultrablock filters and the huge 4.7 degree field, have inspired others to exclaim that the presentation of larger nebulae is better than provided by most any cyclopean telescope.

My own observations of the Cygnus nebulae, also in the filtered 13X50 mode (7.7 degree FOV), have readily ferreted out the Pelican. several patches of the gamma Cygni complex, NGC 6888 and Sh2-101. Two-eyed viewing is potent.

Glenn, In your opinion, then we could say that these two instruments are equivalent for these observations?I mean, for observations of large nebulae, binoculars approx. 12X80 from areas with dark skies and short focal length refractor 80mm (ST80 for example) with narrowband filter from polluted area?Best

Previously I was able to see the entire view of the Veil Nebula (Eastern section + Western section + Pickering's Wisp) using my Orion Starblast 4.5 & SkyScanner Newtonian scopes with the same filter and a 26mm Highlight Plossl (giving 17X & 15X respectively), also at semi-dark orange zone sites. Just wanted to see if the ST80 could do the same using a 32mm eyepiece.

...and here's my 2009 observation of The North America Nebula using a 32mm Plossl and Lumicon O-III filter. Seeing these large nebulae in one fov sure is lovely, that's for sure - the way they were 'meant' to be seen, IMO.

Those are awesome drawings Carol, thanks! I'll have to try the Veil again, this time with my 40mm Plossl. Also need to see the North American again to see if I can get it in its entirety with my 32mm EP.

This is a very interesting observation! I also have an 80mm short-tube –mine is a Vixen A80SS- and I love it for observing big nebulae. I live in a red zone (average NELM around 5.3), and North America nebula is not difficult with UHC and, best, O-III filter. In the best nights, its familiar shape is visible. In the veil, my view is also very similar to yours; Pickering’s wisp is visible using filters.

Here’s my sketch of the NA nebula, this time from a dark site with UHC filter.

Thanks! The 32mm should work well.
Actually, the NA Nebula fit into my 26mm Plossl but the view looked a bit cramped.

Looking forward to viewing the Veil & NA again, but it probably won't be for another two weeks, as the waxing moon is ruining the views around Cygnus. The views won't be as good by then (they'll be lower in the sky).

With the 32mm, actually the Veil looked cramped - it should look better with the 40mm, similar to your view.

I often use the example of putting my 2" OIII filter in the front dewcap of my 9x50 RACI finderscope to view both sides of the Veil at the same time for people who don't believe the OIII can be used in apertures under six inches. I do have an 80mm f/5 short tube and used it to see both objects, but anymore, it kind of gets left inside, as my 100mm f/6 seems to pass the threshold where detail in deep-sky objects becomes a lot easier to see, especially with filters. I prefer the views of the Veil and *especially* the North America Nebula in my 100mm f/6 refractor. In particular, the "Mexico" portion is quite a bit more prominent in the larger refractor than it is in my 80mm Short Tube. Clear skies to you.